Margaret and Margarita

Margaret and Margarita
By: Lynn Reiser
Genre: Fiction
Ages: 4-8

Margret is a little girl who only speaks English and Margarita is a little girl who only speaks Spanish. They both go to a park one day and they meet each other. They play and have fun together even though they speak different languages. They accept each other’s differences. Children will love being able to learn new words in Spanish. This book is a  great way to not only teach a new language but to teach the importance of diversity!


Theme:
It is very important for us to be accepting of other cultures. Every person has feelings, and is alike no matter what language they speak. It is also very important to be able to communicate with others who speak different languages. It is good to be accepting to all cultures and show appreciation for different cultures by taking part in their activities and speaking their languages.

About the author:
Lynn Reiser is known for her bi-lingual children's books. When she was younger she preferred to draw pictures instead of writing. Her first book, Bedtime Cat was a picture book but the publisher convinced her to add words! This experience taught her how fun connecting words and pictures can be!


Pre-reading activities:
Write the word “languages” in the center of the board. As a class, brainstorm different languages people speak. Then brainstorm ideas about why it is important to accept and appreciate those languages onto a second tier.


Post-reading activities:
Students will together, make a classroom “friendship wreath.” Have the students trace and cut out one of their hands. Have the students write their names on their hands. After the students have all finished their hand, the class will put all of the hands together around a paper plate to make wreath. Explain to the students that a friendship wreath shows appreciation and love for each other.

Source used:
http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/18175/Lynn_Reiser/index.aspx

I Am Me

I Am Me
By: Karla Kuskin
Illustrated by: Dyanna Wolcott
Genre: Fiction
Ages: 4-8

This is a story about a little girl who everyone tells her she reminds them of someone else. She has her mother’s hands, her father’s skin, and her aunt’s smile. These things are all true but they forget that she is her own person. She is herself and that it very important. This is a cute story to use at the primary level to teach the importance of accepting who you are and being proud of the person you are!


Theme:
Everyone is different in their own ways. We all have characteristics of our family members like our mother’s eyes or our dad’s hair. The important thing to keep in mind is that we are all individuals. We are us and we are important. We cannot forget that we are our own persons and that it a great thing!


About the author:
Karla Kuskin is an award winning author and illustrator. Along with children's books she also enjoys writing poetry. She loves to write children's books because of the strong connection she has with her own childhood. She wants to share her positive childhood with young readers.


Pre-reading activities:
Students will sit in a circle and each student will share one thing they love about themselves.


Post-reading activities:
Each student will create an acrostic poem using their name. For each letter of their name they will come up with an adjective to describe how they are. The poems will be hung in the classroom for all to see.

Source used:
http://www.karlakuskin.com/?page_id=5

Chryanthemum

Chrysanthemum
By: Kevin Henkes
Genre: Fiction
Ages:

This is a story about a little girl named Chrysanthemum who loved her name until she went to school. When she got to school all of the children giggles at her name. Her parents tell her that her name is beautiful but she is still upset because the kids make fun of her. Her teacher comes to her rescue and tells the class that she too is named after a flower and has a long name. The children then become accepting of her name and she is happy again. Bullying in schools has become a very serious issue. Many children can relate to how Chrysanthemum feels when she is made fun of. This a great story to use when teaching the importance of acceptance.


Theme:
Acceptance of others helps people feel good and liked. It is important to accept everyone no matter what their differences. Choosing to accept people can save people from feeling hurt and left out.


About the author:
Kevin Henkes became an author and illustrator at the age of 19. He enjoys creating picture books, novels and his famous mouse books. He also loves to experiment with words, paints and ink.


Pre-reading activities:
Has there ever been a time when someone did not accept you? What was it they did that made you feel not accepted? Was something different about you that they did not want to accept? Activity: Role play situations as a class to encourage students to be accepting of students. Students should be given roles that would make situations in which acceptance would be needed.


Post-reading activities:
Students will write an acrostic poem for a partner using their partner’s name. Students will come up with nice words to describe good qualities about their partner. 

Source used:
http://www.kevinhenkes.com/